Bruce Springsteen and what his music means to me

August 1, 2013

On Tuesday night I went to a small movie theater for a one-time showing of “Springsteen & I.” It attempts to document the impact Bruce and his music have on his fans, through the eyes of the people who love and respect him the most.

Describe Bruce Springsteen in 3 words.

That is what the documentary asked his fans to video tape and submit. There was a wide variety of answers. Here are mine: happiness, friendship, family. Simple words with great importance.

I am not shy about my love for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. I believe it all began my freshman year of high school. My older sister Brittany (Lil’s mom!) had just gotten her driver’s license and we would drive around and listen to Bruce on the highest volume. I specifically remember listening to “I’m Goin’ Down” on REPEAT.

To this day it is one of my favorite songs yet I have not heard it in a concert because he rarely plays it. Hopefully one day!

I grew up at the Jersey Shore. Jersey Shore music is Bruce Springsteen. All of my friends love him the same way I do. Over the years, my sisters and I (and friends) have always gone to concerts together. We tailgate and we always get floor seats and stand to the back of the crowd so we have room to bop around and dance! Seeing Bruce in concert is an amazing experience. Seeing him perform in NJ is even better.

Bruce Springsteen, Giants Stadium, 2009

Bruce Springsteen, Giants Stadium, 2009

Bruce Springsteen, Newark, NJ May 2012

Bruce Springsteen, Newark, NJ May 2012

Bruce Springsteen, Newark, NJ May 2012

Bruce Springsteen, Newark, NJ May 2012

My absolute favorite part of EVERY concert is when he sings Badlands and the crowd sings and hums in the middle waiting for the next verse…

I also love when the crowd yells “BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE.” Any non-fan would think we were booing him!

His music is a MUST at local weddings as well. I don’t recall a wedding where we did not join arms in a giants circle and sing Thunder Road together as the last song! At my sister’s wedding, the bridal party came out to “Seaside Bar Song” and her first dance was to a rare track, “Happy.” See where I am going with this? We all have a place in our hearts for his music. It is important to us. He is not just an artist to us. His music brings my family and friends together all while telling a story we can all relate to. His music brings us happiness and joy and love!

Do you love Bruce (you should)? Do you feel similar about any musical artist?

I’m ridiculously jealous you have gotten to see him in concert so many times! I love his music, I don’t think it holds as special place to me as you…but I still love it!Laura @losingrace recently posted…Helllloooooooo August

Truly he is my all-time favorite. I’ve been following him since middle school (and that was a long time ago!) and have always found that his music and lyrics speak to me. I’d love to see that documentary.misszippy recently posted…The trail racing vibe

My mom’s best friend’s sister is married to Max Weinberg! I didn’t get to meet Bruce himself at a concert, but I did meet Bon Jovi backstage. He is short 🙂Theodora recently posted…Philly Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon GIVEAWAY!

I love Bruce. Nothing like seeing him in concert. For me, I kind of feel this way about Bon Jovi. I know but I love him and the band and the music and all of it. Seen him in concert numerous times and nothing beats seeing him play in NJ.Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted…Friday Round-Up: Abundance

I love Bruce! He captures the essence of the human condition.Everything the human soul has come up against he puts the experience into words. He has the ability to understand the frustrations of love, disappointment and inequality. He is the working class hero. I will always love his music. There is such an honesty in his words. I believe the lyrics to one song I enjoy goes like this, with your hands held high, you reach out for the open sky and in one last breath to build the road you ride to you death. You learn to sleep at night with the price you pay.Simple and pure.

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Meet Ashley

Welcome to Running Bun! I am Ashley, a working-mom who loves running and training for races, attempting yoga inversions, a strong cocktail, and a good dose of sarcasm. This blog is where I share a lot of random thoughts about the above with some parenting woes mixed in for good measure.